Oliver's Story
"He was more than ready for school."
St. Paul mother Stephanie Henderson knows her son Oliver has benefited from high-quality early care and education.
“It was just so great for him,” said Henderson. “He was more than ready for school.”
Oliver is wrapping up first-grade and is an extremely smart and happy child.
“He told me he wants to be an astronaut or a marine biologist,” Henderson added.
It hasn’t always been easy, but she credits Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) for helping make his success possible. CCAP provides financial support to help income-eligible families pay for child care.
“Child care is really expensive and it affects a family’s quality,” said Henderson. “It’s a two-step program. You’re helping the child and you’re helping the family.”
“It would have definitely been a lot harder. A lot more difficult.”
Stephanie Henderson, Mother
At one point, Henderson was working four part-time jobs to support herself and her son. CCAP allowed her to put Oliver in a quality early child care program and it gave her time to update her skills and secure a stable, full-time job with daytime hours.
“It would have definitely been a lot harder. A lot more difficult,” said Henderson.
Oliver's Story
"He was more than ready for school."
St. Paul mother Stephanie Henderson knows her son Oliver has benefited from high-quality early care and education.
“It was just so great for him,” said Henderson. “He was more than ready for school.”
Oliver is wrapping up first-grade and is an extremely smart and happy child.
“He told me he wants to be an astronaut or a marine biologist,” Henderson added.
It hasn’t always been easy, but she credits Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) for helping make his success possible. CCAP provides financial support to help income-eligible families pay for child care.
“Child care is really expensive and it affects a family’s quality,” said Henderson. “It’s a two-step program. You’re helping the child and you’re helping the family.”
“It would have definitely been a lot harder. A lot more difficult.”
Stephanie Henderson, Mother
At one point, Henderson was working four part-time jobs to support herself and her son. CCAP allowed her to put Oliver in a quality early child care program and it gave her time to update her skills and secure a stable, full-time job with daytime hours.
“It would have definitely been a lot harder. A lot more difficult,” said Henderson.
Recent Stories
From the Front Lines of Child Care: Creative Kids Academy
See how Creative Kids Academy is providing high-quality child care to families while coping with the pandemic.
A Middle-Class Mom Looking for Help
Viktoria Bjerke wants her children to have the best early childhood experience possible but she and her husband are struggling to afford child care.
Aaron’s Story
Katherine had Aaron when she was just 15 years old. It wasn’t easy for the single mom — who was trying to raise a child and finish school.